freedom from suffering

"Notice how your body feels when you argue with what is.  Notice the emotional change happening, and notice what happens when you begin to open your mind just a little bit and invite the possibility-just the possibility- that maybe your conclusions about an event in life, maybe your judgments about it aren't as true as you think.  Just holding the possibility in your mind, you'll see that your emotional environment begins to change.  You'll start to come more into the present moment and this is what freedom from suffering is all about." (Falling Into Grace, p. 117)

I've often thought that if I only made one change in my life, letting go of judgments would be the one to make.  To judge something is to argue with what is.  When you stop and think about it, arguing with what is is futile.  It prevents energy, events, feelings  etc.from moving through us.  It keeps us locked in the psyche and blocks us from experiencing the power of Spirit.  If I remember this each time I choose to make and hold onto a judgment, perhaps I will let it go more readily. 

As Adya suggests, the way to freedom is to accept what is showing up in each moment.  When we are no longer arguing with what is (thereby trying to change it) fearful feelings may arise.  By taking a breath and allowing the feelings to be, we will find a place of peace within (this is what Michael Singer described as the Observer who is watching the psyche experience fear). 

As Jesus said, "You must become like little children in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven."  Little children, for the most part, live in the moment without judgment, without arguing with what is.  Join me this week in accepting life as it is showing up, opening to the possibility that our judgments aren't as true as we think, facing the feelings that arise with courage, and relaxing into a deeper place of Truth.

Awareness

I'm in NY for the week and didn't have a chance to post on the blog before I left. A thought from Michael Singer's CD: "The mind's power comes from consciousness. By focusing on my thoughts I give them power. I choose to put my awareness on Itself." As I am observing and experiencing life in exciting New York City I will do my best to keep my awareness on Itself.  Instead of feeding the thoughts of the neurotic roommate I open myself to the power of Spirit!

letting spirit be your guide

I have spent time this week noticing and letting go of my story and the conclusions that I have drawn.  If I am relaxed and open, life shows me what I need to let go off, including the blocked feelings and negative/limiting thoughts and beliefs.

Instead of trying to make life work by changing what is happening on the outside Michael Singer suggests focusing on yourself, namely, whether you are open or closed (i.e., Is your heart feeling open or closed? Are you relaxed or tight?)  As we stay open we will experience more love and joy.  Of course we still have to make decisions in our lives, and by remaining open and relaxed we will also be more likely to hear the guidance of spirit in our decision making. 

The following beautiful piece was written by Leonard Szymczak (Leonard is an author and therapist.  He will be speaking at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley on May 27th.):

I recently drove to Los Angeles to visit a friend in hospital. Having set my GPS (AKAAlice) with the address, I confidently wove my way through traffic on the freeway. However, with the music blaring and my mind rehearsing an upcoming speech, I didn’t hear Alice announce the turnoff. Needless to say, I realized all too late that I had missed my exit. Instead of berating me, Alice reacted in a calm voice, “Recalculating,” then issued new instructions. It made me think of the times I have difficulty connecting with my inner GPS, Guiding Power of Spirit. Whenever my preoccupied mind whirls like an overhead fan, I can't hear the quiet voice gently guiding me to inner peace. I can't imagine Spirit screaming, "You bloody fool, pay attention!" though, I might say that myself. Rather, I think Spirit is more like Alice, who calmly recalculates without judgment. I'm ever so thankful for an internal guidance system that helps me navigate through dark tunnels and unfamiliar territory. When I veer in the wrong direction, I can count on Spirit to lovingly correct my position and direct me to a higher path. If you ever find yourself getting lost or taking a wrong turn, know that your internal GPS is always there to guide you. Merely set the intention to receive guidance then ask, “Where do I need to go or what do I need to do?” Be still and listen for the answer. There may be a brief period of recalculating, but rest assured, you will hear a gentle voice instructing you back Home to love and inner peace.

the vastness of who you are

Still working on noticing when I am reacting to my "story" and the conclusions that I have drawn from this story.  The conclusions that I am aware of aren't so much about blaming others, but more about how I view myself and the world.  Although I've done lots of personal work in these areas and have made progress, I still find the patterns operating in my life.  For example, the tendency to want to avoid feelings of criticism, rejection, and shame by presenting a certain persona to the world, pleasing others, trying to "get it right" ("it" meaning everything!) crops up more than I would like. 

As I have been choosing to observe and accept what is happening in my life I have felt more pain arise.  Adyashanti says:

"See what it's like when you can feel everything that is there, without telling yourself anything about it...As you become more and more conscious, your emotional suffering can become even greater for a short period of time.  Its like you're thawing out from a mental and emotional numbness.  But this thawing out is absolutely critical.  Because unless we purge ourselves of all the stories that contain our suffering, we won't ever feel the freedom and peace of interacting with life from the perspective of truth." (Falling Into Grace, p. 116)

"Any way that we come to conclusions in our mind about what is or what was or what will be, we are narrowing our experience of life...(and by doing so) you will limit your ability to experience the vastness of who you are."  (Falling Into Grace, p. 116)

Do you want to experience the 'vastness of who you are' or the 'limited self of the neurotic roommate?'  The choice is ours to make.